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Helping dogs to help children develop a passion for reading

About The Bark & Read Foundation

The Bark & Read Foundation has been set up to support and promote the amazing work of charities that take dogs into schools as reading volunteers to help tackle the UK's literacy problems.

Funded by the Kennel Club Educational Trust, the Bark & Read Foundation is working with charities, social enterprises and individuals in schools and libraries around the country, helping children to read with their specially trained support dogs.

The foundation provides money to charities that take dogs into schools as reading volunteers and supports other projects where dogs are helping children to read.

Did you know dogs love books too?

Reading to dogs helps children develop their reading skills, encourages positive behaviour and helps build confidence and self-esteem. Reading to dogs inspires children to have fun and enjoy the experience of reading. All over the country, children are learning to love reading with the support of these amazing doggy companions.

Why do we run Bark and Read?

Reading to dogs has been proven to help children develop literacy skills and build confidence, through both the calming effect the dogs' presence has on children and the fact that the dog will listen to the children read without being judgemental or critical. This comforting environment helps to nurture children's enthusiasm for reading and provides them with the confidence needed to read aloud.

When dogs are in a room of children trying to read they become less stressed, less self-conscious and more confident because dogs are non-judgemental. If children are partnered with a dog to read to, the dog provides comfort, encourages positive social behaviour, enhances self-esteem, motivates speech and inspires children to have fun and enjoy the experience of reading.

How to get involved

If you would like one of the Bark & Read sponsored dogs to visit your school, community group or other organisation, or if you have a dog that you think might be suitable as a reading volunteer please contact: Ciara Farrell on 020 7518 1009 orciara.farrell@thekennelclub.org.uk.